Moonrakers' Celtic Delights

By Jenny Hardy - 20th May 2014 5:30am

What better to way to spend an early summer's evening with the sun streaming throughthe windows of St. Mary's Church, than by listening to the gentle, haunting melodies of Moonrakers. Last Saturday, Celtic tunes delighted a large audience, some of whom had travelled a considerable distance.

A colourful band of four talented musicians, Jon Bennetts, Liz van Santen, Jo Daley andAnna Lockett, from Oxford played and sang a blend of traditional and contemporary folk songs mixing and matching a variety of instruments. Anna's Celtic harp was the centre-piece of the group complemented by vocals, guitar, mandola, bodhran, whistles and a rare 5- string fiddle superbly played by Liz.

Leader, Jon Bennetts composes much of Moonraker's repertoire basing the songs on his own life experiences — a memorable jig inspired by his daughter Tess contrasted with a melancholy song depicting life in the north at the times of the miners' strike in the 80's.

Anecdotes and explanations about the instruments and songs held the audience's attentionwho were captivated by the friendly manner and musicianship of the performers.

Delicious refreshments by the pond were enjoyed by everyone during the interval. It was Moonrakers first visit to Haddenham — hopefully it will not be their last!

(Please click on any image to see an enlarged version)

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